The Nigerian Government has directed relevant agencies and health institutions to strictly enforce Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) screening and other entry protocols at Nigeria’s designated points of entry following reports of non-compliance with approved measures.
Penpushing reports that Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Daju Kachollom, made this known in a statement on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday, following concerns raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over reported breaches of the government-approved protocols.
Penpushing further reports that the ministry said consistent and non-discriminatory enforcement of the protocols was necessary to reduce the risk of cross-border transmission and protect public health and national security.
The ministry called for stronger coordination, communication, and information sharing among the institutions responsible for implementing the measures, stressing that efforts would support effective disease surveillance, early detection and prompt responses to potential public health threats.
Penpushing also reports that under the directive, relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), health institutions and other stakeholders are required to comply with prescribed Ebola screening, health declaration, surveillance and other applicable entry requirements.
The directive comes as Nigerian health authorities respond to a confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), involving a woman who recently arrived in the country from Uganda.
Penpushing reports that the authorities have also begun contact tracing to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus, while the ministry directed relevant institutions to document and report any actual or attempted breaches of the approved protocols promptly through established channels.
The statement equally urged them to support officials responsible for enforcing the measures and to establish monitoring and accountability mechanisms to sustain compliance, stressing that personnel responsible for enforcement should be allowed to perform their duties professionally and without undue interference.
Penpushing further reports that it directed the immediate, widespread circulation of the advisory to relevant departments, units, field offices, and personnel to ensure they understood their responsibilities.
The directive has it that all concerned Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, (MDAs) were instructed to treat the directive as a priority, promptly address identified lapses, and maintain compliance with the approved entry protocols, while the ministry said the measures were intended to safeguard public health and national safety.
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